India gifts 50 computers to central American nation college

Belize City (Belize), Feb 17 (IANS) India has presented 50 computers to a college in Belize City, the largest city in this Central American nation, a "timely gesture", a college official said, that would help the institution realise its dreams of becoming the premier educational institution in the country.

Indian Ambassador to Mexico Sujan R. Chinoy, who is also the high commissioner to Belize, made a major donation of 50 computers and related peripherals to the St. John's College in Belize City on Feb 14, said a statement.

The assistance was given under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, to establish the "India-Belize Friendship Computer Centre".

Addressing those gathered on the occasion at the Fordyce Memorial Chapel, Chinoy said: "India extends assistance to friendly countries with whom we have good relations, and countries like Belize with which we want to deepen our engagement, including at the people to people level."

The Indian envoy said the ITECH programme was very broad-based ranging from outright aid and assistance of this order, to for instance, cricketing gear which were gifted in 2010 for the people of Belize.

"On another occasion we have gifted medicines after the natural disaster in 2007. We have also gifted for instance three-wheeler scooters in the past - 16 of them. .. There are scholarships we offer under the ITECH Program to Belize students and officials going to India."

Present on the occasion were college president Jorge L. Espat, Belize's Minister of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities Audrey Joy Grant, college faculty and students.

Acknowledging the generous gift from India, Espat said that the timely gesture would help the college realise its dream of being Belize's premier educational institution.

In January this year, India deployed senior police officer Ashok Chand, former additional commissioner of Delhi Police, to Belize for a year, also under the ITEC Programme. He is deputed to act as adviser to the commissioner of Police of Belize, the statement said.